Annabeth

I get out of the shower and pull some sweatpants and a tank top out of the dryer, relieved I was able to find some pads under the sink that Lassa kept stashed. My body hurts, these are the worst cramps I've ever felt, but it's nothing compared to the storm of emotions I feel. Anger, grief, and guilt coursing through me like a title wave. I curl up on the bed and cuddle with the stuffed Pegasi we had gotten for our son, just waiting for Percy to come below deck. It's a long time before he does, maybe an hour, which makes me think he probably took some time to himself on the ocean floor before he came back.

I want to be angry at him for not being here when I finished showering like he said, but my guess is he needed some time to let some anger out. Walking into the cabin, he looks downcast and exhausted. Stripping down to his underwear, he climbs in bed behind me and gently wraps his right arm around my torso and slides his left arm under my neck.

"I'm sorry, Annabeth. I'm so, so sorry."

"It's not your fault, Percy." I tell him. And it's the truth. It's mine. I never should have come on this quest. Jesse was already the third member. Percy told me no, but I pushed until he relented like I always do. Why does he let me? Why didn't he make me stay home? I shake the thoughts out of my head. I'm sure Percy's already thinking it. It won't help for me to as well.

"Lassa's got us going pretty fast towards Long Island. We should be there in a week. I Iris-Messaged Will before I came downstairs, he said you need to take it easy and rest until we get there. No physical activity, not even sex." He tells me then pauses. "Which is unfortunate, because if there's any time I want to feel close with you, it's now."
"Okay." I say, trying to focus on feeling safe in his arms, the one good thing I'm feeling right now. He sighs.
"It's okay to cry, Annabeth. What do you think I've been doing the last hour? You can let it out."

"Percy," I start, and then the sobs I've been holding at bay break out. I turn over and kiss my husband, because I need to feel him with me now. But when I pull back I just let the tears stream down my face while Percy holds me tightly in his arms.

…

The next week is practically a vacation if you look at it from the surface. Because our scent doesn't broadcast our location anymore, only one monster attacks us the whole trip, and it's just because we were right on top of it. Just a week of me, my husband, and my little sister in law and my cousin sailing across the Atlantic. Even the weather's perfect. But the cramps of the miscarriage are so bad I can hardly get out of bed the first two days. I pass so much blood I feel weak and tired, so I don't mind Percy bringing me everything I need so I don't have to get up.

To pass the time I read, watch movies with Percy, Jesse, and Lassa, and sleep. I also check the news with Iris Messages. Apparently, when Percy went to the ocean floor to be alone after the quest, he caused a 9.2 earthquake and a massive Tsunami. Thankfully, Lassa felt it in the water and while she wasn't powerful enough to stop it, she managed to slow it down enough that it didn't reach land.

The grief comes and goes for both of us. More than anything else, I just want the bleeding to stop. It's a constant reminder of what I lost. But Will said it can last up to two weeks. Percy and I Iris-Message family and friends back home letting them know what happened. I don't think anyone cried harder than Sally.

Lassa and Jesse keep their distance. I can tell they feel awkward on the ship, knowing this is a really personal time for me and Percy. But they both make sure I know they'll be there in a second if I need anything at all. I can tell Jesse's okay on his own, he just wants to stay out of the way. He's doing the same thing Percy does when something bad happens, blaming himself when it's not his fault, wondering what he could have done differently to prevent it. But sometimes when Percy's busy sailing the boat, I take the chance to spend some time with Lassa to let her know I'm okay with her being here. She makes some pizza and brownies and we curl up on the bed together to watch Titanic. She's a good sister. Quiet and reserved, but a great listener who always knows just what to say.

When we get back to Camp Half Blood and drop the anchor, I hear the Stoll brothers blow their conch shells.

"Do you want to tell everyone?" Percy asks, wrapping his arms around me. "Only Will, Rachel, and Chiron ever even knew you were pregnant. And I asked them to keep the miscarriage quiet. I'm good with whatever you decide." He says. Why are you okay with my decisions? Why won't you make them and make me listen? An annoying part of my mind nags. I shake my head and try to clear my thoughts. He's being sweet and considerate, not weak. He's never weak.

"No. The quest was a success, and a major victory for every demigod alive. Lassa deserves to be able to enjoy the celebrations without everyone being upset." I say.

"Okay, Wise Girl. Big smiles then." He says and gives me a squeeze before going below deck to tell Lassa and Jesse.

A few minutes later, we're ashore and being carried by our fellow campers to the amphitheater to burn our shrouds. The Hermes cabin made one for Jesse and Athena cabin made all three of ours, mine being a beautiful silver with an owl flying over the ocean. Percy's is black with a sea green trident, and Lassa's is an ocean blue with a pegasus. Jesse's is kinda thrown together in true cabin 11 style, sky blue with a pair of white winged sneakers on it.

As is the new camp tradition, we stay behind to tell Melonie the story of the quest so she can tell it to the whole camp at the bonfire tonight. We go to the pavilion for dinner, then settle into our spots at the bonfire and listen to Melonie tell the story. The fire is at least 50 feet tall the entire time, everyone at the edge of their seats. When she finishes, the roars of cheers and applause raises the flames at least 100 feet in the air.
"Quiet." Chiron shouts as he bangs his hoof after a few minutes. He's beaming. "Settle down, everyone!" After a few moments everyone gradually stops talking and cheering. "May I take the chance to say congratulations to our group of heroes, who have completed possibly the most important quest ever given. From now on, the curse is broken! You'll still put off a different scent than mortals, but a monster will have to be near you to smell it! Thank you Lassa, Jesse, Percy, and Annabeth for clearing the way for us and future generations of demigods!" He says, and everyone cheers again. He indulges them a moment, and bangs his hoof for silence again. "In celebration of something of this magnitude, There will be no curfew tonight! You may party until dawn, and sleep as late as you like!"